Denver Powwow

Every year my step-mom Christina's family attends the Denver Powwow.  A 3-day event filled with drums, dancing, fancy costumes, shopping, and yummy food!  This year, I tagged along with my mom, sister-Honey, their cousin's Leigh and Tony, and Aunt Lisa.  

Despite the crazy two-hour white out on our way, we threw up a few prayers and Hail Mary's, and inched our way to Denver.  Settling into our hotel around 10:00 and eating Lonestar at 10:30 seemed quite luxurious before "hitting the sack."  We prepared for the next day and despite the time change, had a wonderful nights sleep.

The pictures above are of the grand entrance.  Different drum groups played while a variety of dancers came into the arena.  It was a breathtaking site and one I will never forget.  All ages walk/danced their way into the stadium. The elderly stoic and almost stern like, proud Native women with their heads held high, teenage fancy dancers crowing and thrashing their bodies to the beat, while teenage girls jingle dresses rang loud and clear.  There were women who wore the United States flag as proud members of the different branches of the government and Tiny tots holding hands with their mothers and fathers, introducing them to their heritage and history.  As a non-native, I was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn't help but tear up a bit.  Watching people so in depth with their culture and the beauty of handmade regalia and music, was absolutely stunning. 

We watched the dancers off and on while taking laps around the auditorium to look at handcrafted creations.  There was so much to look at and take in.  Tribes from all over the U.S. filled tables with carvings, pottery, moccasins, toys, books, bead work, antlers, and jewelry.  It was a smorgasbord of beauty and art.  I had fun browsing and even bought myself a buckskin tank top and beaded belt.  My step-mom bought me a horse blanket "satchel" and we went in together on a book called, "Keeper Of The Female Medicine Bundle."  It's a biography written by Allen Ross about his mother, Wihopa (Agnes Ross), a Mdewakanton, born in 1910. The book "chronicles the essence of Wihopa-educator and tribal leader, who lead the way and always made those of us who followed feel special."  We ended our afternoon with the best Indian tacos ever and more shopping!